Ceremonies took place at churches and war memorials around the English-speaking world today to honour and pray for those who died in the First World War and all those who have died in combat since.

In the UK a two-minute silence was held at 11am to commemorate the end of the First Word War which took place at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.

The ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall was led by Brother Nigel Cave, the Western Front Association's padre. A bugler from the Scots Guards heralded the start of the silence at exactly 11am by sounding the Last Post. He then marked the completion of the two minutes with the Reveille.

Among those laying wreaths at the Whitehall monument today were Lieutenant General Sir Robin Ross, of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), representatives of the Western Front Association, pupils from five schools, the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, the Royal Star and Garter Homes and serving officers from the army, navy and RAF. The Archbishop of Canterbury and defence ministers were also at the Cenotaph for a special service. Welsh assembly presiding officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas led a two-minute silence with members of the Royal British Legion at the Senedd.

The fallen were also honoured in Trafalgar Square, where the Royal British Legion hosted Silence in the Square. Pop group the Saturdays performed and there were readings from celebrities ahead of the silence. The event was linked by satellite with a remembrance service at Swansea's Castle Square.

An air raid siren was sounded in Wrexham town centre to mark the start of the silence. Ceremonies were also held in Newport, Pontypool and Barry, in Wales, while in Scotland, a service of remembrance was held at Central Station, Glasgow and people gathered to pay their respects at the Scott monument in Edinburgh.

Veterans paid tribute to their fallen colleagues at two Erskine homes, in Edinburgh and Bishopton, Renfrewshire, which provide nursing and medical care for former members of the forces.

The Duke of Edinburgh observed the silence at the Royal British Legion Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. The field has been filled with hundreds of small wooden crosses, each bearing the name of a lost loved one, a poppy and often a message of commemoration.

Remembrance Sunday will be marked at Westminster Cathedral by Solemn Mass at 10:30am which will be attended by members of the Services.

The preacher will be Mgr Paul Donovan VG, principal Royal Naval chaplain. Westminster Cathedral Choir will be singing Victoria's Requiem Mass, Lobo's motet Versa est in luctum written for the death of King Philip II of Spain, and Hear my Prayer by Purcell.

The Mass will conclude with the traditional Act of Remembrance, including the Last Post, two minutes' silence, Reveille and the National Anthem.